Hawaii: Waiting for the storm

Hawai’i is playing the approaching disaster waiting game – bracing to be hit by a rare duo of storms, with local residents rushing to stock up on water and flashlights.

Hurricane Iselle, while predicted to weaken to a tropical storm before it arrives in the islands, is expected to bring strong wind, heavy rains and possibly damaging swells to the archipelago’s main islands by today.

“Tropical storm conditions are possible on the Big Island of Hawai’i on Thursday and portions of Maui County Thursday night,” the Central Pacific Hurricane Centre (CPHC) warned.

Rains associated with Iselle are expected to affect the entire state by late Thursday and Friday and “could cause life-threatening flash floods and mud slides.”

A tropical storm watch was in effect for Hawai’i and Maui counties, the CPHC said, adding that watches will likely be required for additional islands as the storm’s direction became clearer.

While currently packing maximum sustained winds near 145 kilometers per hour, forecasters predicted the system would be downgraded to a tropical storm.

Swirling on Iselle’s heels in the eastern Pacific is Hurricane Julio.

With maximum sustained winds of nearly 120km per hour, at 10pm local time on Wednesday it was 2800km east of Hilo and advancing west-northwest.

“Some strengthening is forecast during the next day or so,” the National Hurricane Center said.

As the two storms approached, authorities urged Hawai’i residents and tourists alike to prepare, sparking long lines at stores as people snapped up basics such as water, flashlights and batteries.